Women took centre stage at this afternoon’s World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa Region briefing.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for the Africa Region, was joined by Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS and Bineta Diop, AU Special Envoy on Women Peace, Security and Founder of Femmes Africa Solidarité.
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“We know that women are often primary caregivers, especially for children and dependants,” said Moeti.
She said women make up 70 per cent of the global health workers particularly as nurses who provide essential care in our health systems.
“African women have been immediately and disproportionately affected by lockdowns because of the type of work they are involved in.”
She added many women work in the personal care sector like hairdressers.
“Social distancing orders have affected women’s businesses and their ability to earn income.
“Stay-at-home orders have also exposed women in abusive relationships to a higher risk of violence.”
Overall in the African region, women account for 40 per cent of Covid-19 cases.
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“In the first quarter of this year, compared to 2019, we have seen a decrease in access to essential services to people including women. Fewer women are getting oral contraceptives. Lack of access to care remains a great concern to us,” Moeti said.
“We have provided targeted virtual training to over 1 000 nurses and midwives.”
On the increase in gender-based violence in Africa Moeti said, “President Cyril Ramaphosa made a really profound and articulated appeal to the nation to declare the situation itself (gender-based violence) another pandemic.”
“It is for leaders to recognise that this is happening and then make it part of the interventions that are put in place to mitigate the impact of both the Covid-19 pandemic and the violence itself.”
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Africa Region
Providing an update on the Covid-19 stats for the Africa region, Moeti said that the Africa region has recorded 265 000 cases and 7 000 deaths.
“In the Africa region, of the 47 countries we manage, we have eight of 47 countries account for 84 per cent of cases.”
She said the majority of cases are reported in hot spots in provinces.
“The situation continues to evolve and social measures including restriction of movement are eased. It remains important to identify, test, isolate, and care for patients.”
She added that the organisation is working with governments and partners to identify ways to continue delivering essential services safely including the provision of personal protective equipment.
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